Eastern is currently 1-5 on the season and looks to rebound from a 0-2 start of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference play when the Panthers hit the road for the first time during the conference slate this Saturday at the Tennessee State Tigers.
After the tough 38-27 loss to No. 13 Southeast Missouri last week, the Panthers look to communicate more and continue to play a full four quarters of the game.
Head coach Chris Wilkerson has noticed better details with the players, but playing a full game is still the big goal.
“We know that we need to start quicker like we started against Lindenwood as a team on offense, defense, and special teams, but we need to finish like we finished against SEMO,” Wilkerson said. “That’s really what we are in search of, trying to play four complete quarters of team complementary football. We just have yet to do that year, and it is something we are continuing to strive for.”
Graduate quarterback and captain Pierce Holley had another great statistical game against the Redhawks, and he is looking forward to the team playing a full game of football with better communication.
“We have to start fast and put together four quarters of football,” Holley said. “[We have to] continue to execute, communicate and come out ready to play.”
On the offensive side of the ball, redshirt freshman wide receiver Quenton Rogers was disappointed about the game but is taking the loss against the Redhawks to go back to the drawing board to come together as a team.
“Proud of the guys for coming out in the second half and playing our hearts out,” Rogers said. “It feels like we all are trying to put it together and play as one. Coaches are trying to make game plans for the players to put them in the right spots to succeed.”
Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers is taking the loss against SEMO and capitalizing on it. Flowers said since the loss, the team has been more in sync during practices.
“We had a couple tough weeks, and it’s easy to see the vision within the locker room and within the team,” Flowers said. “Just knowing that we can still finish, and seeing the team stay together has been good.”
Flowers also said the team has been preparing for the environment at Tennessee State this week as it is the Tigers’ homecoming weekend.
“Just preparing for the environment, going to Nissan [Stadium],” Flowers said. “We lost there two years ago, so we’re looking to start fast on offense, start fast on defense, [and] just play a full four quarters of football.”
On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive lineman Nicholas Oliveira-Chace knows the team can play good football; they just have to do it for four complete quarters.
“We played a good second half, but that’s kind of been the story of the season,” Oliveria-Chace said. “We’re not able to put a full game together, so we really got to improve on that, and be able to play a complete four quarters. I feel like we are coming back with intensity, and we’re fixing all the errors. We know we can play good football. We just got to go do it for four quarters.”
Redshirt junior safety Kaelin Drakeford said the first half of the SEMO game the team couldn’t figure things out and they are constantly trying to learn and figure out things to do better for the next game.
“Just [paying] more attention to detail, look to finish the plays instead of just being in the right spot,” Drakeford said. “With watching films, [and] knowing [our] sentences, making sure we do our assignments.”
Wilkerson said right now the hardest thing is frustration with the team and where they are right now.
“With the high expectations coming into the season, the bottom line is we have to refocus,” Wilkerson said. “We are still in search of process-oriented goals, and trying to improve and win the turnover margin, the battle of special teams, the battle of explosive plays and that we do a good job on third downs, on offense and defense. The results will take care of themselves, but we have to execute for four quarters.”
Eastern is set to play Tennessee State for another opportunity in conference play on Saturday at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.
Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.
